Is there life after knobs, buttons and switches are all gone?

Let's not bemoan or grieve for the loss or debate the impact of the loss of buttons quite so quickly.

I have a good example.
I now own a 2016 Honda Fit. It came with a touch screen entertainment system. And a radio system without a knob. It's volume control is either steering wheel "button" controlled OR touch screen on the MFD.

While personally I like the absence of the knob, and have no problem with the touch screen, especially as long as volume control is still operable by the steering wheel.....many people complained about the loss of a knob.
Lo and Behold...the next tweak and refresh of The Fit, had "knobs" return.

Even with Generations now more comfortable and adept at touch screen operation of everything, I tend to think you won't keep a classic down. Sometime a twistable knob, or pushable button is simply the best thing for the situation.

I could of course be wrong. Having lived from a time when you had to get up, and walk to a 21 inch TV...that may or may not be Color or B/W, and physically turn the channel knob to tune into one of about maybe 8-12 available channels....maybe the age of the button and knob is ending.
But I think it's death is prematurely reported.
Sometimes you've got to push.
Sometimes you've got to twist.
Sometimes you've got the touch.

 

Yeah, this is my beef, in 25 words or less. It's the opposite of progress, especially for imperative heating/ventilating controls. Old school vent mode slider with detents at the intermediate stops, and most critical settings at either extreme of the travel, meant you could switch mode without taking eyes off the road. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, the slider was the motivation, that moved the vent openings: simplicity itself.

 

Growing up, my family's version of a remote was "stevie, change the channel to" (yes, we had lots of steve's in my family... and when we all got together I was "little stevie"... sigh).

if I hadn't grown up to be an electrical/computer engineer I'd probably be screwed. But since I do this stuff for a living, I've gotten used to buttons going away (although I would kill to have my blackberry physical keyboard back).

 

Not to hijack the thread too much, but I remember my Dad buying a new television with one of the earliest remote controls.
I believe it worked on some type of audio signal.
And basically you pressed it, and it triggered a motor that would physically turn the knob of the channel selector.
My Dad was so impressed, and so proud of that feature, we as kids were not allowed to touch the remote.
Unfortunately, if I remember right it was a pretty non-durable system, with either the remote wearing out, or the motor that turned the channel burning out. But it was a time my Dad felt like he was on the cutting edge of the latest and greatest.

 

Was it a Zenith tv?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

They were ultrasonic back in the day. Not sure but I'm guessing it drove dogs crazy

I think what it comes down to is that some things people need/want to change instantly while driving, things like volume, temperature, gear shift, high beams, windshield wipers. They want to be able to change them with nothing more than a quick glance (if even that) to locate the control, allowing you to make adjustments without looking away from the road. Meanwhile touchscreen is fine for things like changing radio stations, cycling through information displays, etc. because those you normally don't mind waiting for a straight stretch of road where you can more safely deal with them.

 

The head of our EV club just got back from the LA car show. He was showing slides of some of the EV models on display. One – I forget which – had buttons with icons and functionality that was different dependent on whether you were driving or parked. Just wow. Don’t know if that would be confusing or easier because it reduced the number that you need.

 

really? All I have to do is say, "play Alice in Chains", & the music starts or "navigate home" or navigate to "Home Depot", and I'm on my way.
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I bought a set of "hybrid gloves" to use as driving gloves in the car. The index finger and thumb work on touch screens. $14.99 at Costco.

 

My problem is inputting brand new destinations which takes forever and yields errors more often than not!

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I think @hill is implying your solution may be a Tesla Model S

 

Oh, no problem; let me check my loose change!! I think it'll be no problem thanks to my new Corporate Tax Break!!
I'm going to be doing SO well, I won't need "virtual" EV tax incentive!! And I'm smoking the same stuff they use in D.C.!!

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On a more serious note, the Tesla system is an example of how it can be done well.
“Drive to the nearest McDonalds” work’s quite well.

 

I can honestly say that's not a command I'd have ever thought of using.

 

Maybe In n Out!!

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Not since I spent 10 weeks in Mountain View, CA. We don't have them here in Colorado.

 

Too bad; sounds to me like "Road Trip"!!
Just kidding; they're ok, but a medium Fatburger double cheeseburger on the charbroiler is the best!! With Fat fries, and a chocolate shake!! That is Prime Fast Food! I'm sure you Coloradans have something even better! Prime take me to the best burger in the U.S.!

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nah .... just saying the tech is out there. In 04, the Prius was the 1st time i'd ever seen a keyless smart ignition. Once it's out there ... all the others jump on the band wagon.
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...And some do it cheaply & poorly.

 

My point is, it is how the tech is implemented, not the tech itself.
I remember years ago the hoops you had to jump through to get voice navigation to work.
Now, it is so much easier.